RCCS has record number of investigations in September

Richland County Children Services launched a record number of child abuse/neglect investigations in September, keeping the agency on a record pace for 2010.

The county's child protective services agency began 295 investigations in September, topping the previous record of 267 set just four months ago. That's an average of 9.83 per day during the 30-day month.

"We continue to see a growing need for the services and family intervention Children Services can provide," said Carl Hunnell, communications supervisor. "Just when we think perhaps we have topped out in the demand for child welfare assistance, the numbers just keep continuing to climb."

Through the first nine months of of 2010, RCCS has conducted 2,178 investigations, averaging 242 per month and on pace for 2,904 by the end of the year. That would top the yearly record of 2,748, set just last year.

The agency received a record 694 calls from the public in September, averaging 23 calls per day, the highest average in a month in 2010.

The agency saw significant increases in reports of physical and sexual abuse in September and also a spike in the number of families in need of agency services.

In terms of referral sources, the biggest jumps came in schools and day care centers, medical facilities and law enforcement agencies.